Wills
“Wills should be reviewed periodically. Even God needed two testaments.”
We advise on estate planning, wills, inheritance agreements and inheritance disputes under Swiss inheritance and advance planning law. Together, we consider how your wishes can be implemented in light of your family circumstances and statutory limits.
We assist with drafting and reviewing wills and inheritance agreements and resolving inheritance disputes. Together, we examine the available options and statutory limits.
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Wills
A will allows you to determine how your estate is distributed within the limits of Swiss inheritance law. Precise wording makes your intentions clear and helps reduce subsequent questions of interpretation.
We draft and review wills in light of your family circumstances, compulsory-share entitlements and statutory formal requirements. When your circumstances change, we assess with you whether existing instructions should be adjusted.
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Inheritance agreements
An inheritance agreement allows binding estate arrangements, such as benefits or an inheritance waiver. We explain how it differs from a will and examine the statutory and contractual options for subsequent amendment.
We advise on structuring inheritance agreements under Swiss law, taking account of existing dispositions, intended reservations and family circumstances. We explain their binding effect and the required public notarisation.
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Inheritance disputes
Inheritance disputes may concern interpretation of a will, compulsory-share claims, estate division or rights under an inheritance agreement. We help distinguish legal questions from personal conflicts and assess your position.
We examine inheritance claims, documents and deadlines and develop an approach with you suited to the evidence and costs. We assist with negotiations and out-of-court solutions and represent your interests in court where necessary.
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A free initial consultation for your legal concerns
We offer new clients a free, non-binding 15-minute initial consultation. You tell us about your concerns, and we discuss your situation and possible strategies. We are here to support you through legal advice or representation in proceedings. We look forward to meeting you.
Complex questions from practice
How can the surviving partner in a blended family be protected financially and through inheritance planning?
Matrimonial property law, statutory inheritance shares, compulsory shares and pension benefits must be coordinated. Unmarried partners have no statutory inheritance entitlement. A will or inheritance agreement can help, but does not replace every beneficiary designation in insurance or pension arrangements.
Begin with an overview of family circumstances and existing dispositions. This allows you to establish which resources will actually be available to the survivor and what claims other relatives have. Housing, insurance and pension benefits should be coordinated with estate planning so that no gap in provision is overlooked.
When must earlier gifts be brought into account on estate division or reviewed for infringement of compulsory shares?
Hotchpot and reduction of dispositions are different legal mechanisms. The nature, timing and conditions of the transfer, together with statements made at the time, are relevant. A gift is not automatically immune from challenge or necessarily subject to hotchpot simply because it was made long ago.
Record the amount, date, recipient and the explanation given at the time. It may be decisive whether a payment was described as an advance on inheritance, support or something else. Clear documentation facilitates both calculation of the estate division and examination of whether compulsory shares have been infringed.
How can business succession be planned without being thwarted by co-heirs’ equalisation claims?
Valuation, allocation, compulsory shares and financing must be coordinated early. An inheritance agreement, hotchpot provisions and corporate agreements may work together. A will alone does not automatically provide the necessary liquidity.
A succession plan should address not only the intended takeover but also compensation for the other participants. This includes realistic business valuation, payment arrangements and available financing. Corporate transfer restrictions should be reviewed early so that the inheritance allocation can later be implemented in practice.
Which inheritance law must be considered where domicile and estate assets span several countries?
The last domicile, nationality, choice of law and location of assets may be decisive. Inheritance law, jurisdiction and tax law must be examined separately. Swiss forms do not automatically resolve foreign registration and enforcement issues.
Prepare an overview of domiciles, nationalities and assets in the countries involved. Existing wills or inheritance agreements should be assessed together. This helps identify inconsistent provisions and clarify administration or recognition issues early rather than only after death.